{{Short description|American skateboard truck manufacturer}} {{Infobox company | name = Independent Truck Company | logo = Independent Trucks logo.png | logo_caption = Independent Truck Company logo since 2022 | image = frameless | image_size = 175px | image_caption = Former logo since 1979 | type = Subsidiary | industry = Retail | founded = {{Start date and age|1978|5|23}}<br>in Newark, California, U.S. | founders = Richard Novak<br>Jay Shiurman<br>Fausto Vitello<br>Eric Swenson | hq_location_city = Santa Cruz, California | hq_location_country = U.S. | key_people = | products = Apparel<br>Sports equipment | num_employees = 14 | num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) --> | parent = NHS, Inc. | website = {{nowrap|{{URL|www.independenttrucks.com}}}} }} '''Independent Truck Company''' is an American skateboard truck manufacturer based in Santa Cruz, California. Established in 1978, the brand is currently owned by NHS, Inc. and has an extended list of sponsored team riders.
==Origin== Independent was created by Fausto Vitello and Eric Swenson, along with Richard Novak and Jay Shuirman, in 1978 in Newark, California.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.skateboarding.com/news/fausto-vitello-rip-updated| title=Fausto Vitello R.I.P. (Updated)| work=Transworld Skateboarding| date=April 24, 2006| access-date=June 21, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Fausto-Vitello-entrepreneur-in-skateboarding-2536721.php| title=Fausto Vitello -- entrepreneur in skateboarding world| work=SFGate| last=Sebastian| first=Simone| date=April 24, 2006| access-date=June 21, 2025}}</ref> Rick Blackhart and Kevin Thatcher were involved in the early stages of production with the company.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/talking-ed-kevin-thatcher-interview/| title=Talking Ed: Kevin Thatcher Interview| work=Thrasher| last=Burnett| first=Michael| date=February 24, 2021| access-date=June 21, 2025}}</ref> Blackhart stated that, "one broke, and one didn't turn" in regards to Bennett and Tucker trucks, the largest company producing trucks at the time.{{sfn|Denike|2004|pp=22-25}} The company has become one of the most well-known brands in skateboarding.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/8851356/the-biggest-name-skateboarding-tony-hawk-now-rides-legendary-independent-truck-company| title=The biggest name in skateboarding, Tony Hawk, now rides for the legendary Independent Truck Company| publisher=ESPN| last=Dawes| first=Lance| date=January 16, 2013| access-date=June 21, 2025}}</ref>
==Logo== The original logo was designed by Jim Phillips in 1979. Phillips's original vision was based on the "surfer's cross",<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.skateboarding.com/news/jim-phillips-screaming-hand-drawing-contest| title=Jim Phillips Screaming Hand Drawing Contest| work=Transworld Skateboarding| date=March 14, 2013| access-date=June 21, 2025}}</ref> a variant of the German Iron Cross, due to the connection between surfing and skateboarding. It was initially rejected by others within the company due to the Iron Cross's connection with Nazi Germany. The company did later accept the design following Phillips's insistence, as he notably pointed to the regalia of Pope John Paul II.{{sfn|O'Conner|2019|p=108}} In 2022, the company changed their logo<ref>{{cite web| url=https://shredzshop.com/blogs/news/independent-trucks-logo-change| title=Independent Trucks Logo Change| publisher=Shredz Shop| date=September 29, 2022| access-date=June 21, 2025}}</ref> and publicly distanced themselves from any association with an Iron Cross.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://independenttrucks.com/our-logo| title=About the Independent Skateboard Trucks Logo| publisher=Independent Trucks| access-date=June 21, 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==Sources== * {{cite book| last=Denike| first=Bob| date=2004| title=Built to Grind: 25 Years of Hardcore Skateboarding| publisher=High Speed Productions| isbn=9780965727181}} * {{cite book| last=O'Conner| first=Paul| date=2019| title=Skateboarding and Religion| publisher=Springer International Publishing| isbn=9783030248574}}
==External links== * {{official|https://independenttrucks.com/}} * [https://nhs-inc.com/ NHS, Inc. website]
Category:Skateboarding companies Category:1978 establishments in California Category:Companies based in Santa Cruz, California
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